Omega Scientific

There are an increasing amount of sound options out there, and one of them is optical audio.  Optical Audio, or Toslink, uses digital audio signals that avoid noise or the same connection problems that analog audio uses.  The most common audio jack on computers these days is the analog audio mini-stereo output that is usually marked green.  This is fine for when you just need basic desktop speakers, but what if you want surround sound for gaming or movies?

If you don’t want to upgrade your sound card to something ridiculously expensive and you have a free USB port, you can try using a USB to Toslink external sound card.  You’ll of course need a sound system that supports Toslink, but once you have it all set up, you will be glad you did.

You’re probably scared of the new HDMI 1.3 switch, so I’m here to hold your hand while you take the plunge.  What do you have to lose?  Maybe several hundred, or even a thousand dollars, but look at the benefits… new high definition sound from Dolby HD or DTS HD… deep color allowing for a trillion colors, higher bandwidth, automatic A/V sync, the availability of a miniature connector.. what are you waiting for?

If you’re serious about switching, well, you’re going to need a new HDMI 1.3 switch.  We recommend the EXT-GEFENTV1.3-441 from Gefen.